Discussion Board Anthropology of Nature PDF

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Required discussion board post for analysis of anthropology of nature specific subject is the mechanisms of bats and their relationship with humans...

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Discussion Board Anthropology of Nature For this discussion board, I chose to share the commensalistic relationship between bats and humans. Bats are often mistaken as eerie and detrimental to society, with common mistaken belief that they are blood suckers and help the spread of bacterial viruses and diseases to humans. A fun fact is only 3 species of bats actually suck blood.The species of bats are very pivotal in agriculture and homeostasis of the environment in today's world. Bats are very imperative to the growth of our society and environment. A majority of bats are insectivorous which means they eat bugs and other pests. When bats feast on insects they, add more than $3.7 billion worth of pest control each year in the U.S.(National Park Service,2016) Several species of bats eat nectar, over 300 species of plants rely on bats for pollination, such as mangoes, bananas,and guavas.(U.S. Forest Service, 2019) Not only do bats aid in pollination they also provide seed dispersal in many regions such as the blue agave.These species of bats, often called "flying foxes" because of their larger body size and big eyes, live in tropical and subtropical areas such as Africa, Australia, and Asia. Bats are very successful in helping the agriculture industry,but also the world of technology. Unique features such as echolocation that bats have has allowed for advancement in engineering and new knowledge for aerodynamics, with new inventions like the wingsuits. Animals and plants are very important in our society as they are like assistants, which aid in task from hunting, transportation, harvesting, and numerous other tasks. These species are like workers that provide an unlimited amount of resources to our growing world. Bats have been proven to save billions of dollars on the basis of maintaining agriculture such as crops and plants. The concept that Bats relate to from the readings of Welsch and Vivanco is sustainability. Sustainability is the study of how natural systems function, remain diverse and produce everything it needs for the ecology to remain in balance.( What is Sustainability?, 2019)Congress organizers wanted to showcase how nature preservation and management will lead to sustainable development of communities.(Welsch and Vivanco,p.102)In agreement, with Welsch and Vivanco nature preservation and practices can lead to the fulfillment of better communities.Bats happen to fit the circumstances of the efficient way to manage nature.The pollination of plants,fertilizer of crops, seed dispersal, and pest control services of bats allow for the environment to be sustained in a healthy way. In comparison to vast use of chemicals and other toxic substances on agriculture. These animals have cut down the toxins of the world which can negatively lead to catastrophic events such as pollution and global warming. These task deeply affect the sustainability of the environment and help promote traditional agriculture farming. Bats help create a sustainable development of a society that takes pride in conservation. I feel that humans are not the only species that have culture. Other species besides the human race have culture, it is argued because it is not clear to document distinct norms, conformities, and intellectual processes. But we do have behavioral analysis and comparison to

provide some evidence for repeated patterns amongst a distinct group of species. Studies have to be conducted for observational purposes and cognitive purposes to understand animals distinct cultures.Different cultures have different ways of conceptualizing the difference between humans and the natural world. Humans view other cultures from a place of ethnocentrism, and compare other cultures to their own practices.For example in certain cultures it is forbidden to eat swine, but others see no issues in eating pork, but this disapproval is based on your cultural background and beliefs.Our ideas and perceptions of other cultures are often formed from worldly metaphors and stereotypes. So the way in which we view cultures is solely based on our own ethnocentric views. References “Benefits of Bats.” The National Parks Service , U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/subjects/bats/benefits-of-bats.htm.

“U.S. Forest Service.” Forest Service Shield , www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/bats.shtml.

Welsch, R. L., & Vivanco, L. A. (2019). Sustainability. In  Asking questions about cultural anthropology: A concise introduction  (pp. 102-121). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

“What Is Sustainability and Why Is It Important?” EnvironmentalScience.org , www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability....